Tube coupling apparatus having liquefiable metal sealing layer

ABSTRACT

A method for forming a fluid tight seal is disclosed. The method may make use of a first component having a first sealing surface, and a second component having a second sealing surface. The method may further involve coating one of the first and second sealing surfaces with a metallic film layer adapted to transform into a liquefied metallic layer when a temperature of one of the first and second surfaces exceeds a melting temperature of a metal used to form the metallic film layer. Once it becomes liquefied, the liquefied metallic layer forms a pressure-tight seal between the sealing surfaces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/201,449, filed Aug. 29, 2008 (now U.S. Pat. No. ______). The entiredisclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

The subject matter of the present disclosure was made with support fromthe U.S. Government under Contract No. F33615-98-9-2880 awarded by theU.S. Air Force. The U.S. Government has certain rights in the subjectmatter disclosed herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to metal-to-metal couplings, and moreparticularly to a metal-to-metal coupling with a localized liquid metalfilm that is able to extend the operational temperature of hightemperature metal-to-metal fittings used to join tube and pipe sectionscarrying high temperature gas flows.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Mechanical joints between sections of metallic tubing are necessary inorder to provide for ease of joining during assembly of high pressuregas lines. For applications involving gas temperatures less than 1300°F., sections can be joined using metal fittings that rely on elasticdeflection of internal sealing surfaces. Such “dynamic seal” fittingscannot be used at temperatures above 1300° F. because the internalsealing surfaces plastically deform and permanently set into theirdeflected shape, loosing their elasticity and ability to provide aleak-free seal.

To achieve leak-free joints in high temperature (i.e., above 1300° F.)pressurized gas lines, it has typically been necessary to resort tofusion welding. Use of conventional fusion welding operations to jointube segments requires sufficient 360° access to the full circumferenceof the tube joint to accommodate manual or automated orbital fusionwelding equipment. In applications that require dense packing toconserve volume and minimize weight, providing such access often resultsin suboptimum packing designs that unduly penalize the performance ofend items that are weight and/or size critical. Examples of end itemswhere low weight and size are critical include high performance aircraftand high performance missile systems and propulsion systems such asturbine engines.

SUMMARY

In one aspect the present disclosure relates to a coupling apparatusthat may include: a first component having a first sealing surface; asecond component having a second sealing surface, the first and secondsealing surfaces being in facing relationship with one another when thefirst and second components are coupled together; and one of the firstor second sealing surfaces having a metallic film layer that transformsinto a liquefied metal layer when the metallic film layer is exposed toa temperature that exceeds a melting temperature of the metal from whichthe metallic film layer is formed, the liquefied metal layer forming aseal between the sealing surfaces that is held in place by surfacetension effects.

In another aspect the present disclosure relates to a dynamic beam sealcoupling apparatus that may include: a first component having a first,generally planar sealing surface; a second component having a second,generally planar sealing surface, the first and second sealing surfacesbeing arranged in facing relationship with one another when the firstand second components are coupled together; and one of the first orsecond sealing surfaces having a metallic film layer deposited thereonthat transforms into a liquefied metal layer when the metallic filmlayer is exposed to a temperature that exceeds a melting temperature ofa metal from which the metallic film layer is formed, the liquefiedmetal layer forming a liquid seal between the sealing surfaces that isheld in place by surface tension effects.

In another aspect the present disclosure relates to a method for forminga fluid tight seal. The method may comprise: providing a first componenthaving a first sealing surface; providing a second component having asecond sealing surface; and coating one of the first or second sealingsurfaces with a metallic film layer adapted to transform into aliquefied metallic layer when a temperature of the one of the first andsecond surfaces exceeds a melting temperature of a metal used to formthe metallic film layer, the liquefied metallic layer helping to form apressure tight seal between the sealing surfaces that is held in placeby surface tension effects.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the description andspecific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a partial side cross sectional view of a dynamic beam sealcoupling apparatus of the present disclosure that incorporates ametallic film layer to aid in sealing the mating surfaces of thecoupling together while a high temperature, high pressure, gas isflowing through the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged portion showing where a metallic layer may bedeposited on one of the components of the beam seal coupling apparatusof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a magnified view of a portion of the dynamic beam sealcoupling apparatus of FIG. 2 showing how surface tension effects havecaused the liquefied metal film to wick and partially flow out frombetween the mating sealing surfaces after being exposed to a temperaturethat exceeded the melting temperature of the metallic film layer;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a three piece coupling apparatus incorporatinga V-ring seal component that includes a metallic film layer thereon;

FIG. 5 is a highly enlarged photograph of a circled portion 5 of theV-ring seal shown in FIG. 4 after the V-ring seal has been coated with ametallic coating and then exposed to a temperature sufficient to meltthe metallic film layer, and evidencing flow of the liquefied metalafter 160 second exposure to a 2000° F., 680 PSI hot gas flow throughthe sealing apparatus containing the V-ring seal;

FIG. 6 illustrates a series of graphs showing temperature and internalpressure versus time for a hot gas flow test performed on a dynamic beamseal incorporating a metallic coating to show a relatively constantpressure being maintained over time while the temperature of the sealcomponents was maintained above about 1800° F.; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart setting forth various operations that may be usedin forming a coupling device in accordance with the teachings of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. Itshould be understood that throughout the drawings, correspondingreference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

Referring to FIG. 1, a dynamic beam seal apparatus 10 including ametallic film layer is shown. The beam seal apparatus 10 is illustrativeof merely one form of coupling device with which the teachings of thepresent disclosure may be used to form a high temperature, high pressureseal joining two conduits that carry a high temperature, high pressuregas. The dynamic beam seal apparatus 10 typically includes a firstcoupling component 12 and a second coupling component 14 that arecoupled together by a threaded member 16 associated with one of thecomponents, in this example component 14, that engages a threaded end 18of component 12. The first and second components 12 and 14 may be madefrom any materials that are suitable for use in a high temperature, highpressure coupling device, but in one example the components 12 and 14are made from Inconel 718.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an illustration of an enlarged portion ofthe sealing surfaces of the components 12 and 14 is shown. Firstcomponent 12 includes a first sealing surface 20 while second component14 includes a second sealing surface 22. One of the two sealing surfacesincludes a metallic film layer 24 deposited thereon, and in this examplethat surface is sealing surface 20 of the first component 12. However,it will be recognized that the metallic film layer may just as readilybe used on the second sealing surface 22. The metallic film layer 24 maycomprise a variety of metals such as gold, silver, and copper, as wellas other commercially available alloys used in well known brazingpractices. The metallic film layer 24 may be deposited onto the sealingsurface 20 using well known electroplating techniques. Alternatively, analloyed metallic film layer may be formed using well known physicalvapor deposition or sputtering techniques. The metallic film layer 24may also vary in thickness to suit specific applications, but in mostinstances a suitable thickness is expected to be between about 0.001inch to 0.002 inch (0.0254 mm-0.0508 mm). The specific metallic materialchosen for the metallic film layer 24 also should be able to liquefy inresponse to the temperature of the gas that will be flowing through thecoupling apparatus 10 during normal operation of the coupling apparatus10. For gold, the melting temperature is about 1948° F. and for silverit is about 1761° F. Prior to the electroplating of the metallic metallayer 24 on to the sealing surface 20, it is also preferred that thesealing surface 20 be polished to a surface finish of about 8-32 RA.

During the first few seconds of initial operation of the couplingapparatus 10, the heat from the high temperature gas flowing through theapparatus 10 will fuse the electroplated metallic film layer 24 to thesealing surface 20. Thereafter, as the hot gas flowing through thecoupling apparatus 10 heats up the sealing surfaces 20 and 22 past themelting temperature of the metallic film layer 24, the metallic filmlayer transforms into a liquid state (i.e., liquefies). The hot gasflowing through the apparatus 10 is a high pressure gas typically undera pressure of at least about 500 PSI, and more typically about 680 PSIto about 800 PSI, or possibly even higher. One might expect theliquefied metal to simply squirt out from between the sealing surfaces20 and 22 when exposed to a hot flow gas at such high pressure. However,laboratory tests using electroplated gold have shown that even pressuresas high as 800 PSI are insufficient to overcome the capillary forcesthat hold the molten metal of the metallic film layer 24 in the gapbetween the two sealing surfaces 20 and 22. Thus, the liquefied metallicfilm layer forms an effective seal between the sealing surfaces 20 and22 in a matter of just a few seconds after being exposed to the hot,high pressure gas flow.

With brief reference to FIG. 3, the metallic film layer 24 is shownafter it has cooled after being exposed to a high temperature, highpressure gas flow. It will be noted that the great majority of the metalof the metallic film layer 24 is still present on the sealing surface20, although a small portion 24 a has wicked out from between thesurfaces 20 and 22 on to an inner surface 12 a of component 12.

Referring now to FIG. 4 a three piece coupling apparatus 100 inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure isprovided. The apparatus 100 includes a first component 102, a secondcomponent 104 in the form of a V-ring seal component, and a thirdcomponent 106. The V-ring seal component 104 is interposed betweensealing surface 108 of the first component 102 and sealing surface 110of the third component 106. The sealing surfaces 108 and 110 generallyface each other. A male threaded member 112 of the first component 102engages a female threaded portion 114 of the third component 106 toclamp the V-ring seal component 104 tightly between the sealing surfaces108 and 110. The V-ring seal component 104 in this example is a Haynes188 seal, although it will be appreciated that essentially any form ofsealing component that is able to be plated with a metallic film layer,capable of sustaining the hot, high pressure gas, and able to be heldbetween two adjacent sealing surfaces, could be used as the sealingcomponent that interfaces with the two sealing surfaces 108 and 110.

In this example the V-ring seal component 104 has its entire outersurface coated with a metallic film layer 116, although it will beappreciated that only the areas of the V-ring seal component 104 thatphysically abut the sealing surfaces 108 and 110 require the metallicfilm layer to be formed thereon. Alternatively, the sealing surfaces 108and 110 may be coated with a metallic film layer. The metallic filmlayer 116 may be gold, silver, copper, or other commercially availablealloys used in well know brazing practices and be of a thickness asdescribed above.

The apparatus 100 operates in essentially the same manner as apparatus10. As hot, high pressure gas begins to flow through the apparatus 100the metallic film layer 116 fuses to the outer surface of the V-ringseal component 104. Thereafter as the temperature of the V-ring sealcomponent 104 passes the melting temperature of the metallic film layer116, the metallic film layer liquefies to form an airtight, pressuretight seal between the sealing surfaces 108 and 110 of the first andthird components 102 and 106. FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged portion ofthe metallic film layer 116 corresponding to circled area 5 in FIG. 4after the metallic film layer 116 has been exposed to a hot gas flow. Aportion of the material of the metallic film layer 116 has migrated intoa peripheral area 116 a to form a meniscus, thus indicating thatmetallic film layer 116 had previously liquefied and that some smalldegree of flow has taken place.

Referring briefly to FIG. 6, laboratory test data showing thetemperature-pressure-time history for a tube containing both dynamicbeam and V-ring seals is shown. As will be noted, the internal pressureof the tube, indicated by curve 200, stayed essentiallyconstant—pressure tight and leak-free—while the bare tube temperatureindicated by curve 202 stayed above the melting temperature of themetallic film layer. The other two curves shown in FIG. 6 represent dataacquired from temperature sensors mounted on the test apparatus that isunrelated to the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, a flowchart 300 is shown that sets forth operationsin forming a coupling apparatus with a metallic film layer on one of itssealing surfaces. It will be understood that the flowchart 300 appliesto both two piece dynamic beam seal coupling devices and three piececoupling devices making use of a V-ring seal component. At operation 302the sealing surfaces of the apparatus are polished to a surface finishof about 8-32 RA. At operation 304 a metallic film layer is deposited,by electroplating or other suitable techniques, onto one of the sealingsurfaces. At operation 306 the components of the apparatus areassembled. At operation 308 the assembled apparatus is exposed to a hightemperature, high pressure gas flow where the metallic film layerliquefies and forms a pressure tight seal between the sealing surfaces.

The present disclosure is expected to find utility in any device thatmakes use of a metal-to-metal contacting sealing surface. The variousembodiments described herein are able to provide leak free couplings forhot gas flows having a pressure of up to 800° F. and potentially evenhigher. The ability to provide a liquid metal seal eliminates the needfor extra space around the circumference of the coupling to facilitate360° welding of the sealing surfaces, and therefore can significantlyreduce the packaging and space requirements for systems that require theuse of couplings that can handle extremely high temperature, pressurizedgas flows. The various embodiments are also expected to helpsignificantly reduce the weight of subsystems that require hightemperature/pressure couplings due to greater packing efficiency.

While various embodiments have been described, those skilled in the artwill recognize modifications or variations which might be made withoutdeparting from the present disclosure. The examples illustrate thevarious embodiments and are not intended to limit the presentdisclosure. Therefore, the description and claims should be interpretedliberally with only such limitation as is necessary in view of thepertinent prior art.

1. A method for forming a fluid tight seal, comprising: providing afirst component having a first sealing surface; providing a secondcomponent having a second sealing surface; and coating one of the firstand second sealing surfaces with a metallic film layer adapted totransform into a liquefied metallic layer when a temperature of one ofthe first and second sealing surfaces exceeds a melting temperature of ametal used to form the metallic film layer, the liquefied metallic layerhelping to form a pressure-tight seal between the first and secondsealing surfaces.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising heatingone of the first and second sealing surfaces by flowing a pressurized,heated fluid, over one of the first and second sealing surfaces.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising flowing the pressurized, heatedfluid under a pressure of at least approximately 500 pounds per squareinch.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing one of thesealing surfaces as a V-ring seal component.
 5. The method of claim 4,further comprising covering a plurality of surfaces of the V-ring sealcomponent with the metallic film layer.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein coating one of the first and second sealing surfaces with ametallic film layer comprises coating one of the first and secondsealing surfaces with a layer of silver.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein coating one of the first and second sealing surfaces with ametallic film layer comprises coating one of the first and secondsealing surfaces with a layer of gold.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereincoating one of the first and second sealing surfaces with a metallicfilm layer comprises coating one of the first and second sealingsurfaces with a layer of copper.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereincoating one of the first and second sealing surfaces with a metallicfilm layer comprises coating one of the first and second sealingsurfaces with a layer of a brazeable alloy.
 10. The method of claim 1,further comprising: using a third component having a third sealingsurface; and wherein coating one of the first and second sealingsurfaces having the metal film layer comprises coating a V-ring sealcomponent with the metal film layer; and disposing the V-ring sealcomponent being between the third component and one of the first andsecond components.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprisingapplying the metallic film layer by at least one of electroplating,physical vapor deposition and sputtering, onto one of the first andsecond sealing surfaces.
 12. A method for forming a dynamic beam sealcoupling device, the method comprising: providing a first tubularcomponent having a first, generally planar sealing surface; providing asecond tubular component having a second, generally planar sealingsurface; arranging the first and second sealing surfaces on theirrespective first and second tubular components such that the first andsecond sealing surfaces are in a facing relationship with one anotherwhen the first and second tubular components are coupled together;applying a metallic film layer to one of the first and second sealingsurfaces, the metallic film layer assuming a solid state prior to apressurized, heated fluid of at least about 500 psi being flowed throughthe first and second tubular components; the metallic film layertransforming into a liquefied metal layer when the metallic film layeris exposed to the pressurized, heated fluid, and wherein thepressurized, heated fluid has a temperature that exceeds a meltingtemperature of a metal from which the metallic film layer is formed; andthe liquefied metal layer forming a liquid seal between the sealingsurfaces while the metallic film layer is maintained in a liquefiedstate by heat from the pressurized, heated fluid.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising electroplating the metallic film layer ontoone of the first and second sealing surfaces.
 14. The method of claim12, further comprising forming the metallic film layer from gold. 15.The method of claim 12, further comprising forming the metal of themetallic film layer from silver.
 16. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising forming the metallic film layer from at least one of copperand a brazeable alloy.
 17. The method of claim 12, further comprisingusing a third component having a third sealing surface; and whereinapplying the metallic film layer to one of the first and second sealingsurfaces comprises applying the metallic film layer to a V-ring sealcomponent; and disposing the V-ring seal component between the thirdcomponent and one of the first and second tubular components.
 18. Themethod of claim 12, further providing the metallic film layer with athickness greater than about 0.001 inch and up to about 0.002 inch,prior to the metallic film layer transforming into the liquefied metallayer.
 19. A method for forming a dynamic beam seal that is effectedupon exposure to a pressurized, heated fluid having a pressure of atleast about 500 pounds per square inch, the method comprising: providinga first tubular component having a first sealing surface; providing asecond tubular component having a second sealing surface; arranging thefirst and second sealing surfaces on their respective first and secondtubular components wherein the first and second sealing surfaces are ina facing relationship with one another when the first and second tubularcomponents are coupled together; applying a metallic film layer to oneof the first and second sealing surfaces, the metallic film layerassuming a solid state prior to the pressurized, heated fluid beingflowed through the first and second tubular components; the metallicfilm layer transforming into a liquefied metal layer when the metallicfilm layer is exposed to the pressurized, heated fluid, and wherein thepressurized, heated fluid has a temperature that exceeds a meltingtemperature of a metal from which the metallic film layer is formed; andfurther providing the metallic film layer with a thickness greater thanabout 0.001 inch and up to about 0.002 inch, prior to the metallic filmlayer transforming into the liquefied metal layer.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, further comprising electroplating the metallic film layer ontoone of the first and second sealing surfaces.